A95413:37
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is…
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Twice D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more public edification.The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Tvvisse D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more publick edification.
London: printed for Thomas Matthews, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Lastly, If we build our Religion only upon the Scripture, the learned shall have a great Prerogative above the unlearned in the matter of Faith and Religion, and shall be more engaged in thankfulness to God than they; and so Religion shall favour and cleave to good wits. Also many have their senses exercised in the Scripture, or are more inventive and ingenious than others; therefore if a man could by disputing and reasoning confute some Thesis, and as it were take away a mans opinion from him, and become Conqueror, he should also take away his Religion, and the other should be constrained either to take up this Conquerors Religion, or against his conscience to keep his own.
Lastly, If we build our Religion onely upon the Scripture, the learned shall have a great Prerogative above the unlearned in the matter of Faith and Religion, and shall be more ingaged in thankefulness to God than they; and so Religion shall favour and cleave to good wits. Also many have their senses exercised in the Scripture, or are more inventive and ingenious than others; therefore if a man could by disputing and reasoning confute some Thesis, and as it were take away a mans opinion from him, and become Conqueror, he should also take away his Religion, and the other should be constrained either to take up this Conquerors Religion, or against his conscience to keep his own.
Nor will that Answer serve the turn, Our Divines and Pastors can answer you, though I cannot: for then should I believe with another mans saith; but faith must be mine, not another mans, else should salvation also be another mans. If Religion be the service of God, surely it is necessary that I understand that service which I must perform to my Lord. Seeing God will not reckon another mans service for mine, and cannot be served by a Substitute, it remains that we conclude, Controversies are to be left to learned men, and are not so very necessary. It may be answered, Then also Religion is to be left to learned men; for Controversies are our very Religion, for (saving the consideration of them) there is no difference, but Papists are Protestants, and Protestants are Papists; look how much a man knows of Controversies, ⟨image 14⟩